File M for Murder (Cat in the Stacks Mystery) [Mass Market Paperback]

Miranda James (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 31, 2012 | Series: Cat in the Stacks Mystery (Book 3)

Athena College's new writer in residence is native son and playwright Connor Lawton, known for his sharp writing-and sharper tongue. After an unpleasant encounter, librarian Charlie Harris heads home to a nice surprise: his daughter Laura is subbing for another Athena professor. Unfortunately her old flame Connor Lawton got her the job.

But before Connor finishes his newest play, he's murdered-and Laura is the prime suspect. Charlie and his faithful cat, Diesel, follow Connor's cluttered trail to find the true killer before his daughter is forever catalogued under M...for murderer.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Miranda James is a pseudonym for Dean James, the Agatha Award-winning author of several works of mystery nonfiction as well as four mystery series including the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks series.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (January 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425246183
• ISBN-13: 978-0425246184
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Meowstry!! February 1, 2012

By Lori Caswell TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

This series features Charlie Harris who has returned home to Athena, Mississippi to work as a librarian. He also has a sidekick that goes almost everywhere he goes, a rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel. Diesel is happy to don a harness and leash and travel around town with Charlie. Most of the people of Athena have adjusted to this huge cat and realize how friendly he is, they always have pats and treats ready for Diesel.

In File M for Murder, Charlie is surprised when his daughter, Laura, returns home from Hollywood to fill in for another professor at the local college. Charlie, Sean and Diesel are thrilled to have her home.

He then learns that her old boyfriend, Connor Lawton, a playwright, is also at the college as a writer-in-residence, working on his new play and helped her get the job. Charlie in not at all impressed with the man who is just plain rude. Connor is also followed to Athena by an old girlfriend who believes she is the only woman good enough for Connor.

Before the sharp tongued writer can finish his play he is murdered and Charlie's daughter becomes the prime suspect. Charlie and Diesel are on the case. He soon finds many other viable suspects but can he find the real killer before any of his family or friends end up filed under M for murder.

Dollycas's Thoughts
Yes, Diesel is one of the shining stars of this series. His meows, warbles, chirrups, and head bumps are priceless. He is so in tune to human's feelings. If you are a cat person like me you will truly understand. But without Charlie there is no story so together they make a great team of shining stars. We also know that Charlie is not the only human who talks to their pets like they understand exactly what we are saying. I know Azalea is shaking her head at me.

This story touched my heart because of the relationship Charlie has with his daughter. I found myself missing the talks I used to have with my dad. Like Charlie, he was there for me through thick and thin until his death, although he definitely was not a cat person. Charlie was definitely Laura's hero in this story, just like a dad should be. James creates a wonderful family dynamic that reaches out to Justin and Stewart, Charlie's boarders. All the characters are strong, real and jump right off the page.

This mystery was complex and following the tidbits and putting them all together was very entertaining. It will change the way you look at your local librarian because contrary to what we think we can't find everything we need to know on the internet. Sometimes we need to dig a little deeper and go through those old musty files, especially when trying to solve a murder, be it a new one or a very old one.

File M for Murder is full of Southern Charm and the residents of Athena will work their way right into your heart, especially one huge Maine coon cat! Love ya Diesel!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great story. February 4, 2012

By F. Yoder

Format:Mass Market Paperback

File M For Murder is the third in the A Cat In The Stacks Mystery series.

Just as Charlie is getting reacquainted and use to having his grown son around, his daughter Laura surprising him to come home too. Laura, an actress living in LA, will teaching a couple basic courses in the theatre department. She got the job with the help of Connor Lawton. Lawton is an arrogant playwright and is at Athena for two semester as writer-in-residence.

Laura had been in a relationship with Connor, but for her it is over, Connor is not ready to concede the loss of Laura. Then Damitra Vane arrives in town, making it clear that she is Connor's girlfriend and will do anything to make sure she remains that way. Laura goes to Connor's apartment in hopes of explaining her feelings for him and hoping to work with Connor solely on a professional basis, only to find him dead.

Quite naturally being the one that found the body, she quickly becomes a person of interest. Especially once the police learn that she has Connor thumb drive for his missing computer. But soon Laura is attacked in her office and a fire is started at her dad's house. Then Damitra is found murdered too.

The pressure is now on Charlie, Sean and Laura to find if there are any clues on the thumb drive that would help find the murderer before they are able to strike again.

This a very delightful series and an easy read. James is a great story teller.

I'm not much of a cat person, but I must say that Diesel, Charlie's rescue Maine Coon cat does put a smile on my face.

So looking forward to the next book in the series.

Fred

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars engaging regional cozy January 31, 2012

By Harriet Klausner #1 HALL OF FAME

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Renowned playwright Connor Lawton returns home to Athena, Mississippi to teach for two semesters as a writer in residence at Athena College. He is an acerbic individual whose boorish behavior angers school archivist and rare book cataloguer widower Charlie Harris. However, Connor helped bring home Charlie's daughter Laura, a Hollywood actress, who teaches drama while the professor is on maternity leave.

Connor makes it clear he wants his former fiancée Laura back in his life while another female Damitra Vane makes it clear she wants him back in her life. After alienating everyone including Diesel the Maine coon cat, someone murders Connor. Athena County's Sheriff Department Chief Deputy Berry investigates the homicide. Laura is a prime suspect as she found the corpse and stole a thumb drive from the crime scene. With her brother Sean, her father and the cat trying to protect her from an adversary's dangerous assaults, the clues to the author's murder lies on the thumb drive, if the Harris family can figure what they mean.

The latest A Cat In The Stacks mystery (see Murder Past Due) is an engaging regional cozy in which the murder occurs off page about a quarter of the way into the whodunit. The leisurely paced storyline is fun to follow as someone wants to insure that the secret that Connor uncovered remains interred with him. Mindful of Alexander McCall Smith's Corduroy Mansions though a different setting, fans will enjoy this tale of the Harris family that sleuths together stays together.

Harriet Klausner